Head restraint device for use with a high performance vehicle

Abstract

A head and neck restraint device for being worn by a driver while operating a high performance vehicle in which the device controls the driver's head from snapping forward and downwards during a frontal vehicular crash. The device includes a pair of anchor straps that are worn along the back of the driver. The straps are adapted for being connected to the driver's helmet and for being anchored to either the vehicle's seat belt assembly and/or to the driver's legs. The restraint device itself does not inhibit the driver from exiting the vehicle as exiting may occur after simply unlatching the vehicle's seat belt assembly. Moreover, since the restraint device is neither rigid nor bulky the driver may quickly exit the vehicle without being restricted by the device.

1. A restraint device for controlling the head and neck of a wearer during a frontal crash of a vehicle comprising:
 at least one anchor strap having a first end positionable along the back of the wearer and a second end positionable between the legs of the wearer;  
 a first attachment means attached to said first end of said anchor strap for, directly or indirectly, attaching to an article wearable on the wearer's head;  
 a second attachment means attached to said second end of said anchor strap for, directly or indirectly, releasably attaching to a seat belt assembly; and  
 wherein said anchor strap is placed in tension when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal impact whereby the head and neck of the wearer is restrained from snapping forward by said anchor strap.  
 
     
     
       2. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said anchor strap is at least two anchor straps. 
     
     
       3. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a racing suit wherein said anchor strap is fixed to said racing suit. 
     
     
       4. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the article is skull cap. 
     
     
       5. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising first and second leg straps attached to said at least one anchor strap wherein said first and second leg straps are adapted for encircling a leg of the wearer. 
     
     
       6. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 1  further including a frontal strap positionable along the front of a wearer and a tether extending from said frontal strap and attachable to the article. 
     
     
       7. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the article is a head band. 
     
     
       8. A restraint device for controlling the head and neck of a wearer during a frontal crash of a vehicle comprising:
 at least one anchor strap having a first end positionable along the back of the wearer and a second end;  
 an attachment means attached to the first end of said at least one anchor strap for, directly or indirectly, attaching to an article wearable on the wearer's head;  
 a first leg strap extending from the second end of said at least one anchor strap wherein said first leg strap is capable of encircling a portion of the wearer's leg when worn by the wearer;  
 a second leg strap extending from the second end of said at least one anchor strap wherein said second leg strap is capable of encircling a portion of the wearer's leg when worn by the wearer; and  
 wherein said at least one anchor strap is placed in tension when the vehicle is subjected to a frontal impact whereby the head and neck of the wearer is restrained from snapping forward by said at least one anchor strap.  
 
     
     
       9. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 8  wherein the article is a skull cap, head band or helmet. 
     
     
       10. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 8  further including a frontal strap positionable along the front of a wearer and a tether extending from said frontal strap and attachable to the article. 
     
     
       11. A head and neck restraint device for restraining a wearer during a vehicle impact comprising:
 at least one strap positionable along the back of the wearer;  
 a first means for, directly or indirectly, attaching said strap to an article wearable on the wearer's head; and  
 a second means for attaching said strap to a seat belt assembly.  
 
     
     
       12. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 11  wherein the article is a skull cap, head band or helmet. 
     
     
       13. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 11  further including a frontal strap positionable along the front of a wearer and a tether extending from said frontal strap and attachable to the article. 
     
     
       14. The restraint device in accordance with  claim 11 , further comprising first and second attached to said at least one strap wherein said first and second leg straps are each adapted for encircling a leg of the wearer.